Sydney African teenagers arrested over alleged ‘high-priced’ robberies in Strike Force raids
Four 16-year-old boys have been arrested following a strike force investigation into a spate of robberies at electrical stores across the Sydney metropolitan region.
Four teens who are allegedly part of a smash and grab gang have been arrested during raids across Sydney after several robberies at electrical stores.
The youths, all aged 16 and described by police as African, were arrested following searches of four locations in North St Marys, Northmead and Guildford West around 7am on Tuesday. Late last night police arrested four more teens in Castle Hill after reports they robbed a Kathmandu store at Westfield Burwood.
Police are investigating whether they are part of the same gang.
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It comes less than a month after police established Strike Force Arpen to investigate the robberies of electrical retailers such as JB Hi-Fi, Harvey Norman and Bing Lee.
At the time Assistant Commissioner Mark Jones said: “We are talking about an organised gang of African thieves. We are not trying to downplay this in any way shape or form.”
During Tuesday’s raids, police seized electronics, money and clothes which they allege were stolen.
One boy was charged with three larceny offences, a stealing offence, affray and participate in criminal group.
He has been refused bail to appear at Parramatta Children’s Court today along with another boy who has been charged with five stealing offences and participate in criminal group.
The third boy was charged with six larceny offences, affray, goods in custody and participating in a criminal group.
He was granted conditional bail to appear in court next month while the fourth boy was given a caution.
It is alleged the teens are responsible for robberies at several locations across Sydney including Artarmon, Top Ryde, Rhodes, Strathfield, Campbelltown and Burwood.
They are accused of storming into shops, intimidating shoppers and staff, quickly grabbing what high-priced items they can and then running off.
NSW Police Detective Chief Inspector David Waddell said there would be more arrests. “Because they are teens we have jumped on this crew before the school holidays,” he said. “We are in early days of the investigation and expect more arrests.”
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